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His death sparked renewed interest after the teenager’s body was exhumed, and the murder investigation reopened after Alex Murdau’s trial.
Stephen Smith, 19, was found in 2015 on a country road about 15 miles from Murdow’s property, known as the Moselle, and his death was initially the result of a hit-and-run, according to South Carolina investigators. was judged to be
Smith’s mother, Sandy’s attorney, Eric Bland, said with the assistance of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department (SLED), the teenager’s body was exhumed and re-examined, and “he was in his final resting place last weekend. It was confirmed that it was placed on the land of
“SLED and our team will do everything possible to find out how he died, so I truly believe Stephen can rest in peace,” he said. Tweet Sunday.
Murder investigation reopened after six years
In June 2021, the Smith family’s quest for answers intensified, weeks after the shootings of Murdau’s wife Margaret, 52, and son Paul, 22, at their Colton County mansion. Did.
SLED investigators said the murder investigation led to an investigation into other deaths in the area that had some connection to the Murdow family, an influential family in coastal South Carolina known as the Lowcountry. announced that there is
The agency said it will begin an investigation into Smith’s death in 2021, “based on information gathered during the double homicide investigation.”
Last month, Sandy Smith planned to use funds from his GoFundMe account to exhume his son’s body for an independent autopsy, and began financially supporting this cause.
“We need an impartial examination of his body to determine the exact cause of his death based on facts,” she wrote on her GoFundMe page.
Investigators said in 2015 that Smith appeared to have been hit by a car while walking after the car ran out of gas, reported Charleston-based NBC affiliate WCBD.
According to an investigator’s report obtained by The Island Packet, Smith was initially found to have “defense wounds” on his hands, prompting a murder investigation to be launched.
However, a 2015 autopsy report by pathologists at the University of South Carolina determined that Smith was hit by a car. It was caused by a stretched brain stem, irregular abrasions and bruises, and blood in the airways.
However, no glass or car wreckage was found where Smith’s body was located or in the immediate vicinity, Island Packet reported.
The report also ruled out gunfire, noting that there were no projectiles or bullet fragments on his body.
Murdoh Connections Reported
Investigators with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said they received information that Buster, the eldest son of the Murdow family, may be involved. It has been widely reported that it may have been, but has not been confirmed by NBC News.
In a statement released last month, Buster Murdau denied any involvement in Smith’s death.
“These baseless rumors about my involvement with Stephen and his death are false,” he said. “I unequivocally deny any involvement in his death and my heart goes out to the Smith family.”
No member of the Murdo clan was directly involved in Smith’s death. His case has gained attention due to the strong public interest in Murdo’s story and was included in recent documentary series for both HBO Max and Netflix.
Smith’s family and friends shared their concerns for Smith as an openly gay teenager in a conservative neighborhood.
Murdow, once a prominent lawyer and descendant of a well-connected Lowcountry lawyer, was convicted last month of murdering his wife and son. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole and faces a host of financial liabilities related to embezzling millions of dollars from a client and his family’s law firm.
Murdoh’s attorneys appealed his double-murder conviction just a week after he was sentenced.
$35,000 reward for answer
A $35,000 bounty is being offered for information that may lead to the arrest of Brando, who is responsible for Smith’s death. Announced Monday morning.
“These reward funds came from GoFundMe funds that were raised,” he said. “If anyone knows how Stephen died or was killed, please come forward.”
Brand did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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